Assamese film: Nellier Kotha (The Nellie Story)
North East Film Journal
The Nellie Story (Nellier Kotha- 2023) is a new Assamese film, which has been written, directed, and produced by Parthajit Baruah. The film is based on the Nellie Massacre of February 18, 1983. Arghadeep Barua performs the leading character in the film. The director, Baruah, has participated in numerous international seminars, including those held at London, Queen's University, Ireland, Dubai, and the University of Edinburgh, where he did research. He has also authored notable film books such as "Face to Face: The Cinema of Adoor Gopalakrishnan" (HarperCollins) and "Jyotiprasad, Joymoti, Indramalati and Beyond: History of Assamese Cinema." Prior to embarking on the production of a film addressing the sensitive topic of the Nellie Massacre, Baruah conducted extensive research on the subject. Baruah did his Masters in English literature, followed by his M.Phil ( Film Adaptation: Shakespeare on Celluloid). His PhD topic is "Film and Literature: Shakespeare in Indian Cinema". Noted Indian veteran film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan says, “ Parthajit Baruah belongs to that new generation of film critic and scholarly film historian who make Assamese people proud of their hoary heritage be it in cinema or culture in general…”
Image: Arghadeep Barua and Dhananjoy Debnath
The film centres around Rajiv Pator, a doctoral candidate at Gauhati University, who embarks on a research expedition to the remote villages of Nellie. These villages are predominantly inhabited by Muslims and are of particular interest due to their association with the tragic events that unfolded on February 18, 1983. This incident, commonly referred to as the Nellie massacre, represents a significant and sombre episode in the sociopolitical chronicles of Assam.
Image: Dhananjoy Debnath, Swagata Bharali and Boishnavi Bora
The aim of Rajiv is to ascertain the veracity of the events that occurred. Upon his visit to the site, four decades subsequent to the tragic event, Rajiv becomes cognisant of the diligent nature exhibited by the deceased Muslims who fell victim to the massacre. Furthermore, he becomes aware of their concerted endeavours to assimilate into the Assamese community.
Image: Mohendra Das and Arghadeep Barua
By observing the Muslim children in the villages, he was able to perceive the inherent innocence and spiritual purity reflected in their gaze. Furthermore, the study conducted by the researcher reveals a distinct veracity and actuality that deviates from the commonly acknowledged narrative of the incident. Nevertheless, there were still numerous truths about Nellie that remained undiscovered by him.
Image: Arghadeep Barua and Dhananjoy Debnath
Details of Cast and Crew
Story, screenplay and direction: Parthajit Baruah
Produced by Parthajit Baruah
Banner: Sunlit Studio
Director of Photography: Sumon Dowerah
Editing: Hirak Jyoti Pathak
Sound Design and Mixing: Debajit Gayan
Colour Grading: Rajesh Yadav
Music: Daneil Engty
Cast Rajiv Pator: Arghadeep Barua
Prof. Amrita Chakravarty: Dr Asha Kuthari Chaudhuri
Gayatri Baruah: Sunayana Dutta
Shopkeeper: Samar Jyoti Sarkar
Dr. Akash Plabon: Minntu Baruah
Fan Girl: Disha Hazarika
Rajiv’s Mother: Bina Pator
Rubeda: Boishnavi Bora
Teacher: Sanjivani Bora
Head Teacher: Tuntun Sarmah
Ilias: Dhanajay Debnath
Rubeda’s Mother: Swagata Bharali
Jatiya Bidyalaya Lady Teacher: Tridisha R. Parashar
Headmaster: Sudarshan Nath
Thaneswari Dewri: Royonti Rabha
Thaneswari Dewri’s Husband: Ramesh Borah
Thaneswari Dewri’s Friend 1: Susmita Saikia
Friend 2: Durba Deka
Friend 3: Madhavi Dekaraja
Rashid: Logi Lakshya Saikia
Rashid’s Friend-1: Amir Hussein
Rashid’s Friend -2: Ashradul Islam
Circle Officer 1: Parag Tamuli
Circle Officer 2: Mrinnmoy Borah
Lady Shopkeeper: Minakshi Hazarika
Debajit Lador: Mahendra Das
Debajit Ladur’s Neighbour: Tapan Bordoloi
Neighbour’s wife: Chandika Bordoloi
Tiwa Villager: Bitopan Bordoloi
Village Head: Sapunti Bordoloi
Second Village Head: Pabitra Ladur
PhD Students: 1. Shivangi Bordoloi
2. Jimli Deka
3.Dhritismita Sarma
4. Bhaswati Borgohain
5. Partharanjan Sonowal
Image: Royonty Rabha, Susmita Saikia , Boishnavi and other
Playing Scene Actors:
Shahidul Haque
Moktabir Haque
Rashid Ali
Afrina Begum
Mehmuda Begum
Nazia Javed
Shoib Ashridul
Riazul Nekib Ali
Syed Riaz
Buddin Ali
Nazeun Haque Alam Haque
Image: Sudarson Nath
Crew Chief AD: Neel Barman
1st AD : Lakshya Jyoti Saikia
2nd AD: Sanjivani Bora
3nd AD : Rupam Saikia
4th AD: Arif Hussain Mir
Sound Effects Editor: Debajit Gayan, Khanin Roy
Location Recordist: Nayan Jyoti Bhuyan
Bishal Nath
Rajtilak Deka
Assistant Location Recordists: 1. Dimbeswar Bora
2. Abhijit Gogoi
3. Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta
4. Suman Kashyap
Image: Tridisha Parashar
Foley Recordist: Rohan Yadav
Foley Artist: Rajat Jaiswal
Assist. Sound Effect: Rajesh Kalita
Focus Puller: Atul Swargiary
Karbi folk instruments: Daniel Engty: Kum Dengdong /Krongchui (Jaws harp)/ Guitars & various instruments.
Thong Timung : Chenkpi (Big drums)/Chenk Buruk (Small drums)/ Kum Li-eng /Chenkso Basanta Rongphar: Guitars
Tiwa folk instruments Pradyut Lalung : Bahi (Bamboo flute) Pratim Pator : Kharam Prokhanta Pator: Pepa Kartik Dekaraja: Taal
Flute: Pranjal Borah (End Scene)
Assistant Editors: Gautam Baruah
Mrinnmoy Kalita
Behind The Scene: Nitish Kashyap
Calligraphy Title: Gokul Talukdar
Logo graphics: Upam
Production Contyroller: Deepjyoti Kakoty,
Himangshu Kakoty,
Hemanta Baidya,
Gautam Nath
Image: Lakshya
Conformist: Nitin Singh
Transporting: Abhijit Das, Kakoty Khura, Phaninda Borah, Nijam Ali
Cook: Rupan Senapati
Additional Dialogue: Pranjal Kumar Mahanta
Subtitle: Parthajit Baruah
Location Sound Equipment and Sound Post : Bluebird Audio
Foley Studio: Foley House
Camera Equipments: NE MediaBank, Mridul Sarma
Camera Attendants: Babloo, Kishore
Locations: Nellie Villages, Guwahati University
Script Consultant: Khanjan Kishore Nath
Special Thanks: MONJUL BARUAH
Image: Royonty Rabha
